Seven Days
by Kym on August 12, 2009
If you had known me as a kid, you probably wouldn’t have liked me much. Unless you find sulkiness endearing and frequent fits of melancholy charming, that is. Yep, even then, however many decades ago, I tended to over think things. Though it wasn’t till I hit my early twenties that anyone verbally applied the label Neurotic to me (to my face, anyway), I think it started when I was about six or so.
Birthday aftermath was probably the worst of it though. Specifically, SUMMER birthday party aftermath. I hated having a summer birthday. I hated how hot it was. I hated the way I had to squint through the sunshine for all my birthday photos. I hated how few of my friends were IN those photos, being as half were away on vacation and another quarter or so came up with lame excuses like swimming lessons and err-I-think-I’m-playing-in-the-sprinkler-that-day. Young Kim took it all very much to heart. She was, to use her own word, “tragified” by the poor party attendance. She spent hours and hours, days and days, obsessing over her lack of popularity. In fact, she began to tie her feelings of self-worth up with how many birthday cards she received.
Later in life, she came to realize that her natural shyness may very well be a factor. In fact, upon further investigation, she discovered that many of her friends and acquaintances were completely unaware of when her birthday was (shocking, I know). She began advertising. Just verbally at first. A hint dropped here, a hint dropped there. Then she began writing about it on her blog. Sometimes as much as a month in advance. The birthday cards? Began flooding in! (Okay, there were seven of them, but all things being relative, that was a FLOOD).
Then came a year of utter absentmindedness. Not only did she forget the birthdays of many dear friends, she even forgot to celebrate her three year bloggiversary. And THEN, she forgot to blog about her upcoming birthday a month in advance as she’d planned to. Memories of her melancholy young self began rearing their ugly heads, and she attempted to squash them by writing a really odd blog post (in third person for some reason) a week before her birthday.
Yes, you read that right. One WEEK.
And then, her dear sweet husband who is an excellent shower of his love in many, many ways, confessed he had no idea what to get her for her birthday. He had given himself a budget of $100 with which to spoil his lovable if neurotic wife, but was at a loss as to how to spend it.
Kim, who is STILL unaccountably writing about herself in the third person, had an idea. Why not ask for ideas from her blog readers? They could prove amusing, or possibly even genuinely helpful. And she could pretend that each birthday related comment equates to a birthday card. Genius!
So, dear readers, what should I ask for? Books come immediately to mind. As does a piano in badly need of tuning. Perhaps a funky new cake pan? Oh wait, I don’t know how to make cake…hmm…I’m a bit low on socks…
Well, as you can see, I’m badly in need of help here. Though I did, it must be pointed out, finally reclaim my first person point of view. Suggestions anyone?
27 comments
I am all about the spa day.
by Kristina P. on August 12, 2009 at 2:06 pm. #
oooh . . . I like the idea of a spa day . . . do they have one close enough for you to actually avail yourself of that?
I wish I was more helpful in that way . . . I’m afraid I’m rather up the same creek without the same paddle myself . . . birthday *hugs* for you though girly . . . with more to come and a REAL (you count e-cards as real, right?) card on (y)our special day! ;)
by Kate on August 12, 2009 at 2:09 pm. #
Oooh, spa day sounds lovely. Or maybe a romantic evening out at your favorite restaurant or something. And Happy Early Birthday Kym! :)
by Jaina on August 12, 2009 at 2:09 pm. #
Oh my, I would love a spa day! My birthday is coming up in two months. I might go for some books on Polymer clay (my newest hobby endeavor). There are lots of cool kitchen gadgets these days. I don’t really know what to suggest for you, though I’m sure Neil will find something perfect.
by Summer on August 12, 2009 at 3:31 pm. #
Books are always good. Music is always good.
Concert tickets? A day to yourself? Some pre-made meals so that when you don’t feel like cooking you won’t have to?
I agree that a spa day also sounds lovely.
by Heffalump on August 12, 2009 at 3:32 pm. #
I’d totally go for the night out with your hubby. Either that or shoes. I like shoes. Or a toy (electronic or kitchen). Or 20 $5 movies (or 5 $20 movies). Chocolate. Take you shopping where he begs you to buy stuff just for you(I always love that, though I know many who do not). A good mix of it all?
Happy Birthday!
by Sarah on August 12, 2009 at 3:34 pm. #
I say a romantic date! You can never have enough of those. Or a romantic date FOLLOWED BY a trip to pick out a bunch of books! Yeah…that’s my dream b-day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEXT WEEK, KIM! I FRICKIN’ LOVE YOU!
by L.T. Elliot on August 12, 2009 at 3:59 pm. #
A night at a hotel ALONE with your laptop. Ahhhhh . . .
by Annette on August 12, 2009 at 4:05 pm. #
Honestly? I would want the $100 to go on a shopping spree. I never spend money on myself. I’m always getting stuff for Hubby or the kids… it would be nice to have $100 earmarked just for me and my whims!
by Melissa on August 12, 2009 at 4:08 pm. #
That means that my birthday is only 8 days away…you always have to remind me. Last year was the big 3-0, blahh! I have no idea what to ask for either for my b-day. I always have a DQ icecream cake, but our DQ is closed for remodeling, so I can’t even have that. :( Clothes, that’s always fun or jewelry..yes – ask for a little bling for the occasion!
by Nicole on August 12, 2009 at 4:28 pm. #
I’m with Annette. Not a spa girl myself, but a night alone in a cushy hotel bed… heaven.
by Stephanie on August 12, 2009 at 5:34 pm. #
I would love $100 to blow on Amazon.com. Or to eat out at a fancy restaurant. Or do you have an iPod of any kind? The cheapest ones are around 80 bucks, I think. Happy early birthday to you!
by Erin on August 12, 2009 at 6:16 pm. #
$5.99 bouquet at Save-On (if you have one of those), and the rest a spa day. See if you can get him to include a lovely dinner that doesn’t involve you making it or doing the dishes. And then, maybe, you could see if you could get those books you need (yes, I said need) from the girls. Because, everyone knows that the husband’s budget is separate from the daddy/daughters budget. ;)
by Inkling on August 12, 2009 at 8:39 pm. #
No idea on birthdays because I’m lame like that. But happy birthday in a week and stuff…
Mostly, I’m here to commiserate with your summer birthday-ness. I’m a summer birthday-er myself, and I completely know what you’re talking about. I was always so jealous of the girls who had the fancy mid-schoolyear birthday parties that every last person in our class attended. I’d end up with the dredges of humanity at my lack-luster party in the sun.
But, back to Kim (hey, if you can talk about yourself in the third person, I can talk about you that way too, right?) Kim should really read through some of these birthday suggestions. They sound great!
by Brillig on August 12, 2009 at 9:31 pm. #
No spa day! pedicures can cause early labour!!
Uh…. I vote $100 spending spree at chapters.ca with nothing but fluff to be purchased! Pride & Prejudice & Zombies!
Also, for what it’s worth now that you’re an adult, from one August baby to another? I always had my birthday party the 2nd week back at school.
by Thalia's Child on August 12, 2009 at 10:25 pm. #
I’ve been really into Scentsy lately, which is wax warmers so you dont have a flame but have a pretty smelling house. So I vote for getting a warmer and some delicious scents for the house. Maybe one of your favorite t.v. series on DVD?
I’m all about the smaller gifts so you get much more from the 100 dollars! *laughs* My birthday was July 24th and EVERYONE in my family forgot, other than my Mom. There was a lot of The Pouting and The Crying going around on July 25th. And I got to go to Disneyland for my birthday! *laughs* I wasn’t expecting a parade, but a facebook shout-out would have been nice. Summer birthdays can be frustrating, people never remember!
Happy Birthday, anyway!
by elizabethsheryl on August 12, 2009 at 10:51 pm. #
My birthday was ‘celebrated’ while working, I only had one visitor: an ex-boyfriend, three cards of which I received one about three weeks early and one a day late. My presents consisted of a lousy 10 euro note and ehm, well, that’s it!
So, if you really are looking for present ideas from this side of the pond, don’t look at me!
Hope you have a fantastic birthday though!!!
by Mara on August 13, 2009 at 4:24 am. #
How much is a Amazon Kindle? I’ve heard they’re amazing.
If I had $100 of discretionary money, I’d probably use it to get my piano tuned. Or blow the whole thing on digiscrap supplies. Or — my husband decided this was most true — by some interest from the bank (i.e. SAVE it for nothing in particular, ’cause I don’t want to spend money on myself). *sigh* He knows me well.
by Beth on August 13, 2009 at 6:31 am. #
(Oh, and I just checked on the Kindle, and it’s $300. Yikes.)
by Beth on August 13, 2009 at 6:32 am. #
Well everybody seems to already be thinking in my terms, but I would first, buy a book, then take the book to the salon and get a pedicure while you read it. You should barely have enough left to get a 60 minute massage. Perfect.
by Jenna Consolo on August 13, 2009 at 8:01 am. #
I would ask for either a Kindle or a carpet cleaner, and then my husband would tell me to choose something under $100 and I’d just ask for the cash.
Good luck!
by Josi on August 13, 2009 at 9:06 am. #
Maybe you could find a used Kindle. I got mine for $150 from someone who preferred the Sony (the weirdo). Or books. Or office supplies. Love those. But I’d probably go with books.
Pedicures cause early labor? What? How? That makes no sense. I love pedis, so maybe I’d get one of those, and spend the rest on books.
Happy Birthday!
by Karlene on August 13, 2009 at 10:00 am. #
I just loved reading this third person post and I love you. Now, Neil should get you a . . .Crap. I’m out of ideas.
by Eowyn on August 13, 2009 at 10:37 am. #
no ideas here. I was actually hoping to get some!
Happy Pre-Birthday, though!
by JustRandi on August 13, 2009 at 11:41 am. #
I always like it when my husband gets me girly things that I would never think to “waste” my money on…like nail files or bubble bath, body spray, stuff like that. I can always talk myself out of the expense at the store but if he buys them then it’s a gift and I can’t fault him for spending the money. ;)
by Kiera on August 13, 2009 at 12:15 pm. #
I do stumble in here every so often. Do you have any pearl earrings? They should be under the $100 mark and they’d suit you be-yew-ti-fully. It doesn’t matter when pregnancy makes you puff up either as they’d still fit.
by Jill on August 17, 2009 at 1:24 pm. #
I hope your birthday was positively wonderful and I can’t wait to hear about what you got :) !!
by An Ordinary Mom on August 24, 2009 at 1:28 pm. #